Photo by Steve Woltmann
The Cardinals will travel to Wheaton College on Saturday to take on the Thunder in the battle for the little brass bell. A win for the Cardinals would improve their record to 9-0 and avenge last year’s 35-21 loss against Wheaton College.
In 2012 the Cardinals turned the ball over four times despite getting a strong performance from senior quarterback Spencer Stanek. In last year’s matchup Stanek completed 24 of 37 passes for a season high 334 yards and threw for two touchdowns.
While Stanek performed well last year against the Thunder, Stanek has looked even more impressive throughout the course of the 2013 season.
“It’s so much fun, especially being on the same side of the ball,” said senior wide-receiver Chad O’Kane. “Spencer has had an unbelievable season and there is nothing that is going to slow that kid down. He throws the ball well, he runs the ball well, he reads defenses well and just knows everyone’s assignment on the offense.”
Stanek this season has been a four time CCIW offensive player of the week, has thrown for over 2,100 yards, has scored 29 total touchdowns, has a passer efficiency rating of 192, has a completion percentage of 75 percent, and has thrown just one interception.
Meanwhile the Cardinals have been just as effective defensively in 2013 under first year Defensive Coordinator Mike Murray. In 2012 Wheaton rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Jordan Roberts completed 32 of 46 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior strong safety Shane Dierking, who leads North Central with six interceptions, knows the Cardinals have their work cut out with the Wheaton offense.
“Jordan Roberts is a great quarterback, we’re going to try to get some pressure on him, and make him make poor decisions,” said Dierking. “He (Roberts) doesn’t make many poor decisions and doesn’t throw many interceptions.”
Head football coach John Thorne, who coached Wheaton Warrenville South high school to four state championships, knows a thing or two about this rivalry.
“During these twelve years I think it’s been fun for both colleges because we’ve won five times and they’ve won six times,” said head coach John Thorne. “So it is a really fun atmosphere, and there’s been some really great games played between the two of us.”
North Central looks to drop Wheaton’s overall record against the Cardinals to 48-41-3 at McCully Stadium where kickoff is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.
